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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72044
Title: DIETARY FAT AND HUMAN IMMUNE RESPONSE

Author
item Kelley, Darshan

Submitted to: Inform
Publication Type: Literature Review
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Literature regarding the effects of the amount and composition of dietary fat on human immune response (IR) is reviewed. Reduction in total fat intake enhanced several indices of IR, including lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production, and delayed type hypersensitivity skin response. When the total fat intake was maintained constant, moderate increase in the intake on n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as needed to improve cardiovascular health did not have any adverse effects on IR. The n-6 PUFA will be inhibitory if there is a concomitant increase in total fat intake, or the antioxidant nutrient status is inadequate. N-3 PUFA inhibited several indices of IR even when the total fat intake was maintained constant. It is thus possible to up and down regulate IR by changing the amount and composition of fat intake. Such effects of dietary fat may be of clinical value.